New wildfires started after a lightning storm in eastern Oregon over the weekend, impacting the entire Elkhorn Crest Trail and expanding evacuations orders west of Baker City.
The McCulley Fire, north of Sumpter, grew to about 3,500 acres on Aug. 24 and was uncontained. Located a few miles east near the top of Elkhorn Ridge was the North Pole Fire, mapped at 300 acres on Aug. 24.
Level 3, 2 and 1 evacuation orders were issued for Baker and Grant counties, placing Sumpter on a level 1 "be ready" notice.
These evacuation orders included multiple areas of the North Fork John Day Wilderness.
Officials advised backpackers, bikers and hikers to stay off the 23-mile Elkhorn Crest Trail, a popular trail with dramatic views and high elevation. Anthony Lake Campground remained open as of Aug. 24, according to recreation.gov.
"The entire Elkhorn Crest Trail is impacted. Officials are advising the public to stay off the trail or leave the area. Search and Rescue operations could be extremely difficult or impossible in an active fire area," the U.S. Forest Service said in a statement.
Several private cabins and the town of Bourne were threatened by the North Pole Fire.
"Firefighters are prioritizing structure protection around Bourne and the scattered cabins in Silver Creek," said the Forest Service in an Aug. 24 update. "Natural barriers are helping hold the fire's progression to the north."
Aircraft will assist fire crews as they work to build lines and protect structures.
The evacuation orders are searchable on a Genasys system online.
Makenzie Stamets is an outdoor intern at the Statesman Journal. She can be reached at [email protected] or on X at @MakenzieStamets.
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: 2 new wildfires in eastern Oregon impact Elkhorn Crest Trail